Air-permeable elastomeric bra cup

ABSTRACT

A bra cup includes a convexo-concave body having an inner face and an outer face. The body of the bra cup is a silicone foamed elastomer. Adhesive is applied to the inner face of the body. The body of the bra cup includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the body, providing a light, air-permeable, elastomeric structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/908,269 filed May 5, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bra cup. In particular, the present invention relates to a bra cup that can be directly adhered to the bosom of a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bras may provide a support for the bosom of the user. To present an aesthetic effect, a bra cup generally comprises a padding member sewed therein, which involves troublesome and time-consuming sewing operation. The resultant bra cup however could not provide an intimate contact with the bosom of the user.

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional bra cup 1 that can be directly adhered to the bosom of the user. The bra cup 1 comprises a body 11 made of solid silicon rubber, with a layer of thermoplastic rubber film 12, 13 (such as polyurethane film) formed on each of an outer face and an inner face of the body 11. Further, a layer of adhesive 14 is applied to an inner face of the inner thermoplastic rubber film 13. However, the user feels hot and sweats easily, resulting in sudamina, eczema, etc, as the body 11 and the thermoplastic rubber films 12 and 13 are not permeable to air. As a result, long-term use of such a bra cup is not recommended. Further, a bra consisting of two bra cups 1 of this type weighs up to about 200 grams, which is a burden to female users. Use of such a bra is not suitable for sports, as the bra cups 1 could not be fixed and cause droopy bosom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that is soft, highly elastomeric, non-toxic, durable, non-deformable, and shock-absorptive.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that can be in intimate contact with the skin of the user and that is air-permeable to provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetic effect by supporting the bosom of the user.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that can be used for a long period of time in all circumstances.

A bra cup in accordance with the present invention comprises a convexo-concave body including an inner face and an outer face. The body is a silicone foamed elastomer. The body includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the body, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure. Adhesive is applied to the inner face of the body of the bra cup. The bra cup is light, soft, elastomeric, air-permeable, durable, non-deformable, non-toxic, and shock-absorptive while providing wearing comfort and providing an aesthetic effect. Thus, the bra cup can be in intimate contact with the skin of the user and air-permeable to provide wearing comfort. Further, the bra cup can be used for a long period of time in all circumstances.

Preferably, the silicone foamed elastomer is made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group.

Preferably, the adhesive comprises a plurality of adhesive particles.

Preferably, the adhesive comprises a tape with two adhesive faces. The tape includes a plurality of vents extending through the adhesive faces.

Preferably, the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.

Preferably, the inner face of the body comprises a recess in a central portion thereof.

Preferably, the bra cup comprises a layer of laced cloth mounted on the outer face thereof.

Preferably, the bra cup further comprises a male or female coupling member mounted thereto for coupling with a female or male coupling member on a symmetrically constructed bra cup.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional bra cup.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the bra cup in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bra in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating a modified embodiment of the bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view illustrating another modified embodiment of the bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a bra comprising a pair of bra cups in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the bra in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, a bra cup 2 in accordance with the present invention comprises a body 21 that is convexo-concave to suit the profile of the bosom of a user. The body 21 includes an outer face 22 and an inner face 23. Adhesive 24 is applied to at least a peripheral portion of the inner face 23, allowing the body 21 to be directly adhered to the bosom of the user.

In this embodiment, the body 21 is made of silicone foamed elastomer. The body 21 includes a plurality of densely distributed holes in the interior and the surface of the body 21, providing a highly air-permeable, highly elastomeric structure.

In manufacture, a first silicon oil containing OH functional group (such as HO(Me₂SiO)_(n)H) and a second silicon oil containing H functional group (such as (CH₃)₃SiO((SiHCH₃)O)_(n)Si(CH₃)₃) are filled into a mold for a bra cup and dehydrating crosslinking reaction is carried out under catalyzing by platinum catalyst at room temperature to form a foamed elastomer (i.e., the body 21). The mold may be heated to a temperature of 70-120° C. to accelerate foaming. Once formed, the shape of the body 21, even heated, does not change. The body 11 is light, soft, highly elastomeric, durable, non-deformable, and shock-absorptive.

When in use, the body 21 is in intimate contact with the skin of the user and is air-permeable to provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetic effect and a comfortable sense of touching. This is because the body 21 is a silicone foamed elastomer with high air-permeability.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adhesive 24 is applied along the peripheral portion of the inner face 23. Preferably, the adhesive 24 comprises separate adhesive particles so as not to adversely affect the air-permeability. Preferably, the adhesive 24 is of silicon rubber type to allow repetitious use while providing appropriate adhesion.

Since the body 21 is a silicone foamed elastomer with high air-permeability, the overall light of a bra comprising a pair of bra cups 2 in accordance with the present invention may weigh merely 50 grams, which is relatively light to the user, allowing adhesive positioning effect when worn on the bosom of the user. Thus, the bra cup in accordance with the present invention is light, soft, highly elastomeric, non-toxic, durable, non-deformable, and shock-absorptive. Further, the bra cup in accordance with the present invention can be in intimate contact with the skin of the user and is air-permeable to provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetic effect by supporting the bosom of the user. Thus, the bra cup in accordance with the present invention can be used for a long period of time in all circumstances.

The size of the body 21 can be largely reduced to cover the nipple area and the mammary areola of the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein a lace strip 31 is sewn to an outer periphery of the body 21 of the bra cup 2. Alternatively, an inner lace strip (not shown) and an outer lace strip (not shown) are sewn to the outer periphery of the body 21. Namely, the body 21 of the bra cup 2 comprises a laced outer periphery. This enhances the strength of the outer periphery of the body 21 of the bra cup 2 while providing an aesthetic effect.

FIG. 6 illustrates another modified embodiment of the invention, wherein a layer of laced cloth 3 is bonded or sewn to the outer face 22 of the body 21 of the bra cup 2. Further, a tape 25 with two adhesive faces is provided on an outer periphery of the inner face 23 to allow easy bonding, removal, and replacement. Further, a plurality of vents 26 are provided in the tape 25 and extend through the adhesive faces of the tape 25 for ventilation purposes. Further, the inner face 23 of the body 21 includes a recess 231 in a central portion thereof for accommodating the nipple of the user.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup 2 comprises, e.g., a male coupling member 27 for releasably coupling with a female coupling member 28 of another bra cup 20 that is symmetrically constructed. Each coupling member 27, 28 includes a connecting strip 29 for bonding or sewing to the associated bra cup 2, 20. A bra is thus provided. The bra may provide a lifting effect for the bosom of the user.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims. 

1. A bra cup comprising: a convexo-concave body comprising an inner face and an outer face, the body being a silicone foamed elastomer, and the body including a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the body of the bra cup, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure, adhesive being applied to the inner face of the body.
 2. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone foamed elastomer is made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group
 3. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a plurality of adhesive particles.
 4. The bra cup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive comprises a plurality of adhesive particles.
 5. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a tape with two adhesive faces, the tape including a plurality of vents extending through the adhesive faces.
 6. The bra cup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive comprises a tape with two adhesive faces, the tape including a plurality of vents extending through the adhesive faces.
 7. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.
 8. The bra cup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.
 9. The bra cup as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.
 10. The bra cup as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.
 11. The bra cup as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.
 12. The bra cup as claimed in claim 6, wherein the body of the bra cup further comprises a laced outer periphery.
 13. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner face of the body comprises a recess in a central portion thereof.
 14. The bra cup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner face of the body comprises a recess in a central portion thereof.
 15. The bra cup as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner face of the body comprises a recess in a central portion thereof.
 16. The bra cup as claimed in claim 5, wherein the inner face of the body comprises a recess in a central portion thereof.
 17. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner face of the body comprises a recess in a central portion thereof.
 18. The bra cup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bra cup comprises a layer of laced cloth mounted on the outer face thereof.
 19. The bra cup as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bra cup comprises a layer of laced cloth mounted on the outer face thereof.
 20. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bra cup further comprises a coupling member mounted thereto for coupling with another coupling member of a symmetrically constructed bra cup. 